Capilano's 'fake honey' scandal impacts local producers

CAPILANO Honey might be fiercely denying it used adulterated foreign honey in its products, but local honey producers say the negative publicity will still have a flow-on effect for the entire region.

ALL HONEY: Goldfields Honey's Vicki Lockwood said news of fake honey was not good for the industry's smaller producers. Photo: PHIL BLATCH 090418pbbee1

Capilano, Coles, Woolworths, IGA and ALDI are alleged to have sold blended honeys that contain sugar, rice and beet syrups.

Testing was conducted by German company Quality Services International and results showed 12 out of 28 samples had been adulterated, but Capilano has called into question the accuracy of the tests.

The Orange region’s honey producers agree that while adulterated honey was not a health risk, it damaged consumers’ confidence and made it harder for smaller producers who were selling 100 per cent pure honey.

Goldfields Honey Australia, located at Beekeeper’s Inn on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange, has been operating for the past 40 years and has 7000 hives.

Managing director Vicki Lockwood said the company prided itself on making 100 per cent pure Australian honey.

“I am very disappointed that the honey that is being imported is not tested that it is pure honey,” she said.

“Australia should have protocols in place to make sure it’s pure honey.”

Ms Lockwood said for many consumers price was the major factor when buying groceries and cheap, imported honey, or those produced using additives, made it harder for those selling 100 per cent Australian honey.